Chow, the food site, has a great new article called How Green Is Your Takeaway Container. You can take reusable containers, such as Tupperware or popular metal tiffins, to restaurants and carts and ask them to use it instead of plastic take-out. Additionally,  ask them not to include a plastic bag or plastic silverware, and bring your own reusable utensil.

Here's the scoop on our local recycling:

Clam shell/plastic containers: No. At Chinook Book we gather our clamshells and deliver bunches along with other difficult to recycle items. AtWork! is a local company that accepts clam shells for recycling, along with most transfer stations.

Aluminum foil: Yes. Rinse and place in your curbside recycling or reuse.

Compostable papers/corn based boxes: No. Boxes are not compostable unless clearly marked as Cedar Grove Compostables. Place these in your personal compost bin or ask the business where you purchased the food, many have a separate bin for composting their product.

More recycling information from King County.

Image: Flickr/CreativeCommons